User Interface

ABSTRACT

An electronic device comprising: a display; a housing enclosing the display and defining an exterior surface region adjacent to the display, the exterior surface region having a plurality of surface zones indicated thereon, the surface zones being capable of being written on by a user to save a written marking thereon; a memory; and user input apparatus; the device having: a first mode in which the device performs a function in respect of a subject entity and in which in response to operation of the user input apparatus to indicate one of the zones the device stores the entity in the memory in association with that zone; and a second mode in which in response to selection of a zone by means of the user input apparatus the device performs a function in respect of an entity stored in association with the selected zone.

This invention relates to a user interface for an electronic device suchas a mobile phone.

A popular feature of mobile phones is their ability to store frequentlyused numbers in a memory, each associated with a name. The numbers canbe recalled by entering the associated name. This “phonebook” functionavoids the need for the user to memorise the phone numbers. It alsoavoids the user running up unwanted phone bills by wrongly entering thenumber he wants to call.

As low-end mobile phones become less expensive, they are increasinglybought by people who have little experience of advanced technology. Suchpeople might find it difficult to operate functions such as thephonebook function because conventionally it demands a potentiallycomplex series of keystrokes to store names and numbers and to andrecall numbers by name. Also, such people might well have a limitedability to read. As a result they might find it difficult to read auser's manual and learn the functionality of their phone and to followon-screen prompts or help. Most significantly, they might not be able toenter names in a phonebook, either to store or recall numbers. However,those people are the ones who are most likely to suffer from running upunwanted phone bills by entering wrongly entering numbers.

The phonebook function is just one example of the areas where concernsof this type arise. Others include entering text for text messaging andstoring reminders in a calendar function.

There is therefore a need for an improved data entry scheme that can beapplied to operations such as the phonebook function.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided anelectronic device comprising a display; a housing enclosing the displayand defining an exterior surface region adjacent to the display, theexterior surface region having a plurality of surface zones indicatedthereon, the surface zones being capable of being written on by a userto save a written marking thereon; a memory; and user input apparatus;the device having a first mode in which the device performs a functionin respect of a subject entity and in which in response to operation ofthe user input apparatus to indicate one of the zones the device storesthe entity in the memory in association with that zone; and a secondmode in which in response to selection of a zone by means of the userinput apparatus the device performs a function in respect of an entitystored in association with the selected zone.

Preferably the exterior surface region surrounds the display. Preferablythe exterior surface region comprises a cover releasably attachable tothe remainder of the device. Preferably the cover is in the form of asheet.

Suitably the device comprises a plurality of covers capable of beinglocated adjacent to the display and preferably the device is capable ofidentifying which of the covers is externally visible adjacent to thedisplay and the zones the subject of the first and second modes arethose of that cover.

Preferably the device is physically reconfigurable and has a firstconfiguration in which the exterior surface region is covered and asecond configuration in which it is exposed.

Suitably, in the first mode the device performs a function in respect ofa subject entity that has been input to the device independently of theuser input means of the device.

Suitably, in the first mode the said function is receiving acommunication and the entity is the identity of the originator of thecommunication. Suitably, the entity is a phone number.

Suitably, in the second mode the said function is originating acommunication to the entity.

The present invention will now be described by way of example withreference to the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an electronic device.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of functional elements of the electronicdevice.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show an electronic device in operation.

In a first embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, amobile phone 1 has a display 2 and a keypad 3. The display is surroundedby housing of the phone, part of whose surface defines a write-on area4. The interaction of the display and the keypad with each other andwith the other functionality of the phone is controlled by a processor5, shown in FIG. 2. The processor is programmed with software to providethe required functionality, although it could alternatively be hardwired. The write-on area is subdivided into a number of zones 6. Thephone is configured so that it can indicate any of those zones by meansof the display, and when a user selection is then made it can providefunctionality in dependence on which of the zones is being indicated atthat moment. The user can write his own signs 7 on each zone to indicatein his own way what functionality is provided when it is selected. Thephone does not need to be able to recognize themnemonics/icons/character set of the user, and the user does not need tobe able to understand the language in which the phone is used. Thus, inaddition to facilitating use by people with poor literacy, thisarrangement reduces the need for the device to be customized for locallanguages.

Functional elements of the phone of FIG. 1 are shown in FIG. 2. Thephone includes a memory 8 which stores software for execution by theprocessor. The phone has a phone engine 9 which allows it to communicatewith a mobile phone network. The phone engine has a receiver unit 10 anda transmitter unit 11 which are each linked to both the processor 5 andto an antenna 12. The phone also has a microphone 13 and a speaker 14whereby the user can input audio data to and hear audio data from theprocessor when engaged in a call. During a call the processor sends andreceives that data over the network via the phone engine 9 in the normalway.

The write-on area 4 preferably surrounds the display. However, it couldrun along only one, two or three sides of the display.

The zones are preferably demarcated from each other by visible markings15 on the write-on area itself. However, they could be demarcated byvisible markings adjacent to but not on the write-on area. The zones maybe demarcated by markings displayed on the display adjacent to thewrite-on area. The markings need not be visual: they could, for example,be tactile markings such as raised lines. There could alternatively beno markings separating the zones.

Zones could be indicated by the display in a number of ways. Forexample, a zone could be indicated by an arrow or the like shown on thedisplay and pointing to the indicated zone. Alternatively, a zone couldbe indicated by a marker that is shown on the display and indicates thezone closest to where it is shown. A zone could be further indicated bylighting means arranged to preferentially illuminate the zone. This maybe achieved by positioning a light emitter behind each zone and thewrite-on zone may be translucent or transparent.

The zones may be variable in size. One way of achieving this is to allowthe user to define the size of each zone through the user interface ofthe device. By manipulating an arrow or arrows displayed on the displayscreen the required starting point and ending point of a zone may bedefined and stored in the memory of the device. The user may define thezone size through a configuration function of the device, or the usermay be required to define the size of a zone when associating that zonewith a particular party (see FIG. 4). Instead of manually defining thesize of each zone or a set of zones, a user may select betweenpredefined zone sizes. Each zone may be of a different size.

Preferably the device provides a mode in which the user can easilyconfigure the zones and their operation. One example of such a mode isthat when the device is performing or has recently (e.g. within apredetermined time period previously) performed a first function that isassociated with an entity, the display indicates one of the zones. Withthe device in that state the user can provide input to the device toindicate that the indicated zone or another zone is to be associatedwith the entity. This input is preferably by means of a dedicated inputdevice, such as a dedicated push button. Each zone itself could functionas a button, allowing a user to indicate the zone with which the entityis to be associated by depressing the region corresponding to that zone.This may be achieved by having a dome-type switch underneath each zone.In response to the user input, the device stores in non-volatile memorythat the entity and the indicated zone are associated. Subsequently, theuser can cause the same zone to be indicated and can provide input tothe device to indicate that that zone is to be selected. That input canbe by means of the same or another input device. In response to thatinput the device automatically performs another function that isassociated with the entity.

Examples of the first function include receiving a phone call, receivinga text or multimedia message, presenting the user with a reminder,making a phone call to a manually entered number, and sending a textmessage to a manually entered address. Examples of the entity include aphone number, a network address, and a subject. Examples of the secondfunction include making a phone call, sending a text or multimediamessage and storing a reminder.

In one preferred example, during a predetermined period such as 10seconds after the end of a phone call received on a phone the phonedisplays an arrow pointing to a zone on the display. If the user makesan input to select that zone whilst the arrow is displayed then thephone stores an association between that zone and the phone number fromwhich the call was originated. (The receiving phone could determine theoriginating phone number from caller identity data provided by the phonenetwork in the usual way). At that time the user can make a mark of hischoosing on the appropriate zone in the write-on area of the phone. Themark is conveniently one that the user associates with the callingparty. For example, if the calling party was the user's son then hecould draw a picture of a boy. Subsequently, the user can cause thedisplay to indicate the same zone and make a selection again. Thiscauses the phone to dial the number that was stored in association withthat zone. Thus, whenever the user wishes to make a call to a thirdparty that is stored against a zone he need only recognise his ownmarking or mnemonic to dial. Thus, the user need not know the number ofthe calling party, nor how to write or read the name, and the phone neednot recognise the mnemonic used by the user.

The device may be able to decide intelligently whether to indicate azone when a first function is being or has recently been performed.Preferably it does not indicate a zone if the entity associated with thefunction is already stored in association with a zone. Thus if a call isreceived from a number that is already stored against a zone then nozone would be offered for storage following that call. Preferably nozone would be offered for storage following an incoming call for whichno calling line identifier (CLI) information is provided. This may bethe case if the calling party chooses to withhold his or her number.

The device may be able to decide intelligently which zone to indicatewhen a first function is being or has recently been performed.Preferably it does not indicate a zone which already has an entitystored against it, although most preferably it does nevertheless do soif all zones are already full.

The user can preferably scroll through the zones when one is to beselected for storage or recall. This is preferably done using ascrolling means of the user interface, for example an input wheel or upand down buttons.

The write-on area can most preferably be written on using a standardwriting implement such as a pencil or pen. The area of the deviceunderlying each zone may be touch sensitive (preferably to greaterlocalised pressure than would be encountered during normal usageconditions) so that the user's writing on the zone could provide theinput needed to select a zone for storage. In that situation the deviceneed not indicate a zone at the time of storage. The write-on areacould, for instance, be made of plastics material or of paper or card.The write-on area is preferably constituted by a piece of sheet materialwhich can be releasably attached to the device, for example by clipfastening means. In that way the area can be replaced if all the zonesare full and the user wants to reconfigure them.

The device may be physically reconfigurable. For example, it may havetwo parts that can be folded to or from each other or slid over eachother. This action may mean that some surface regions of the device arecovered in one configuration and exposed in another configuration.Preferably the write-on region is located on such a surface. This hasseveral advantages. First, markings on write-on region can be protectedfrom being rubbed out by being covered up, for instance when the deviceis being carried around. Second, the user may perceive there to be astigma associated with his using pictorial markings rather than words.If the markings are hidden when the device is being carried around thenhe may feel more content to use the present feature. It is preferredthat in the most compact configuration of the device, which is typicallythe one in which it would be carried around, the zones are covered. Itis preferred that in an in-use configuration of the device the zones areexposed.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention implemented on a foldingmobile phone. The area surrounding the display, hereinafter the“phonebook area”, is divided into a number of zones. FIG. 3 shows theregions numbered 21 to 28. The user can write whatever he likes in theregions as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 shows a mobile phone of a preferred embodiment after an incomingcall in which the CLI (calling line identifier) information has not beenrecognized by the phone. An arrow 29 on the display points to one of theregions which is still blank and the user makes a personal marking inthe region to which the arrow is pointing. The personal marking servesas a mnemonic representing the identity of the calling party. The userthen presses a key 30 on the keypad to make an association between thecalling party and the region. FIG. 4 shows that the user has 3 partiesregistered in his phonebook.

When, at a later date, the user receives a call from a party in hisphonebook, the party's CLI 31 is recognized by the phone and an arrow 32points to the associated region, as shown in FIG. 5. The user then onlyneeds to recognize his mnemonic representing the calling party to knowwho is calling. Similarly, when making an outgoing call the user needonly rotate to the selected region and then initiate the call using oneor more keys on the keypad.

The phonebook area can be a clip-on rectangular ring of writeableplastic material having the regions delineations pre-marked thereon. Itis preferably removable. Alternatively, a rectangular ring of paper canalso be used, the paper being attached to the device by, for example,being trapped in situ by a transparent overlay hingedly mounted orclipped to the display part of the phone.

The user may require the facility to store data against more zones thanwould conveniently fit around or be indicated by the display. In thatsituation the device could be provided with multiple write-on sheetsthat can be positioned against the display and which are provided withmeans for interacting with the device so that the device can detectwhich of the sheets is visible next to the display. Then the device canassociate each zone of each sheet with respective information, and allowdata to be stored against each zone in dependence on which sheet isvisible against the display. One way to implement this is for each sheetto be provided with shaped identifiers such as projecting tabs thatuniquely identify it and allow its presence to be sensed by the device.Another way to implement it is for a set of sheets to be hingeablyconnected to the device so that they can be folded into position overthe display. A sensing arrangement in the hinge could allow the deviceto detect which sheet is uppermost over the display. The arrangement maybe like a conventional ring-bound notepad. The sheets may be hingedabout the same axis as other parts of the device are hinged: forinstance if it is a two-part hinged phone the sheets could hinge aboutthe same axis as the phone parts. The sheets are preferably of fairlystiff plastic material.

The sheets are preferably sized and located so as not to cover a userinterface portion of the device. Thus the user can flick through thesheets whilst remaining able to conveniently operate the user interfaceportion. If a device having multiple write-on sheets receives a callfrom a known entity, a number or symbol may be displayed adjacent to thearrow indicating the zone corresponding to the calling entity to furtherindicate on which of the sheets the relevant personal marking isdisplayed.

There may be instances in which a user wishes to delete an associationbetween a personal marking and a particular entity. To achieve this theuser may provide input to the device to indicate the zone correspondingto the personal marking. This input may be by any of the input meansdiscussed above. The user may then provide a further input to delete theassociation between that zone and the particular entity which is storedin the device memory. This input may be a dedicated delete button andthe delete button may be identified by a delete icon. To complete theprocess the personal marking is deleted by any conventional methodsuitable for removing the particular ink used from the particularwrite-on sheet material upon which the marking was made. Suitably thesheet material is chosen so that many common inks may be readilyremoved.

A device may be operable to transfer data associating a set of personalmarkings with a set of entities to another device. This involves twostages: transferring at least the portion of the phonebook area on whichthe user's personal markings are displayed and transferring the dataassociating the set of zones into which the phonebook area is dividedwith the set of entities. Preferably, the portion of the phonebook areaon which the user's personal markings are displayed is detachable inorder to allow the user to manually transfer that portion of thephonebook area between devices (the first stage). The second stage oftransferring data between the devices may be performed by any meansknown in the art: by communicating the data over a communicationsnetwork to which the device is subscribed; via a wire link betweendevices (suitably, this may be performed at a device service centre);via a wireless link between devices, such as Bluetooth; by writing thedata to an active RF (radio frequency) tag at the source device andbringing the two devices into sufficiently close proximity for an RF tagreader in the destination device to read the data into the memory of thedestination device, hence transferring the data from the source devicesto the destination device.

Alternatively, the device may be a mobile phone and the data associatingthe set of zones into which the phonebook area is divided with the setof entities may be stored on the SIM card (subscriber identifier module)of the phone. The data may therefore be transferred from a first deviceto a second device by moving the SIM card from the first device to thesecond device and transferring the user's personal markings as describedabove.

The device need not be a mobile phone. It could, for example be acamera, a calculator or a PDA (personal digital assistant).

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual featuredescribed herein and any combination of two or more such features, tothe extent that such features or combinations are capable of beingcarried out based on the present specification as a whole in the lightof the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art,irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solveany problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope ofthe claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the presentinvention may consist of any such individual feature or combination offeatures. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to aperson skilled in the art that various modifications may be made withinthe scope of the invention.

1. An electronic device comprising: a display; a housing enclosing thedisplay and defining an exterior surface region adjacent to the display,the exterior surface region having a plurality of surface zonesindicated thereon, the surface zones being capable of being written onby a user to save a written marking thereon; a memory; and user inputapparatus; the device having: a first mode in which the device performsa function in respect of a subject entity and in which in response tooperation of the user input apparatus to indicate one of the zones thedevice stores the entity in the memory in association with that zone;and a second mode in which in response to selection of a zone by meansof the user input apparatus the device performs a function in respect ofan entity stored in association with the selected zone.
 2. An electronicdevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exterior surface regionsurrounds the display.
 3. An electronic device as claimed in claim 1 or2, wherein the exterior surface region comprises a cover releasablyattachable to the remainder of the device.
 4. An electronic device asclaimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover is in the form of asheet.
 5. An electronic device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, comprising aplurality of covers capable of being located adjacent to the display. 6.An electronic device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the device iscapable of identifying which of the covers is externally visibleadjacent to the display and the zones the subject of the first andsecond modes are those of that cover.
 7. An electronic device as claimedin any preceding claim, wherein the device is physically reconfigurableand has a first configuration in which the exterior surface region iscovered and a second configuration in which it is exposed.
 8. Anelectronic device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein in thefirst mode the device performs a function in respect of a subject entitythat has been input to the device independently of the user input meansof the device.
 9. An electronic device as claimed in any precedingclaim, wherein in the first mode the said function is receiving acommunication and the entity is the identity of the originator of thecommunication.
 10. An electronic device as claimed in claim 9, whereinthe entity is a phone number.
 11. An electronic device as claimed in anypreceding claim, wherein in the second mode the said function isoriginating a communication to the entity.
 12. An electronic devicesubstantially as herein described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.